APPROPRIATE FOOD TO EAT AFTER COLON RESECTION SURGERY

last year on april fools day i had an emergency gallbladder removal...  lots of laughs with that one...  then due to colonic inertia on june 11th i had my large intestine removed, but the surgeon left 6 inches of it and connected to my small intestine, so i do not have to wear a bag...

this is going to be a real learning process for you, but i have experimented with many things, and some may help you...  my surgeon put me on 2mg taken 3 times daily of Loperimide...  you must drink atleast 8/8 ounces of water while taking this drug, and add another 8 ounces for each for each caffeine drink you have...  this drug will make you feel dehydrated quickly, so do please drink the water at room temperature...  i found cold water would give me terrible cramps, so try to avoid this...  also, eat small meals spread out throughout the day...  brown rice is really great for eating, so i stick with that, along with bananas, certain fruits and veggies...  also i drink a glass daily of MJO brown rice protein powder, which helps supplement a lack of protein in your diet, as you try different foods, to learn what you can eat and not eat...  keep a record of what works best for you...

my biggest problem and i still am dealing with this today is going from constipation to diarreha...  i eat alot of whole grain dry toast, if i have diarreha which seemed to help slow down how quickly the food passed from my stomach to my intestines... 

psyllium fiber is excellent to take, but there is a fine line with this fiber...  take too much you get constipated, take too little you get diarreha...  i cut my Loperimide down to one per day, and Metamucill is psyllium fiber, so follow the instructions and this may help you also...

i hope you had a good surgeon, mine left my in a lurch after the operation...  after trying four different drugs, of which there are many that can help you, he gave me the "i don't know what to do for you routine", and left me to try and figure out how to help myself improve my life...  i am also a celiac which cuts down the foods i can eat, and lactose intolerant, which cuts things down even further...  i have refused to see this surgeon again, and will never let him touch me for any reason...  he took his money and ran, and had this surgery not been an emergency, i would never have used him...  also, if you have insurance, consult with a good nutritionist, that can guide you through this process... this is a life changing experience, but once you get to know what works best for your body your life will become better...  don't give up, i refuse to do this...  i hope i have helped you in anyway i can...  also, if you feel you are getting dehydated, gatorade will help you replace what you lose, and get you back to feeling human again...

god bless and hope you do well...  it will take time, but just take this one day at a time and do not get discouraged...        

So I'm one-week post-op for laproscopic removal of about 14 inches of my sigmoid colon.   Removal was triggered by recurring flares of diverticulitis which was very painful and debilitating, leaving me to miss work and of course have serious quality of life issues.

I'm freaking out at all of your stories, because I've had nothing at all in terms of problems.   I was eating bacon and eggs in the hospital, last night we had roast beef with a sauce of creamed roasted carrots, cauliflower and onion (with the beef stock), and I have had half a dozen apples, raw carrots, and plenty of fiber capsules.   

Zero pain or discomfort, although I noticed cheese tends to push me toward constipation -- even if I take the 4 fiber pills (2 in the am, 2 in the pm) that the doc told me to go ahead with.

My bowel movements are looser than before surgery -- I'm told this is because there's less colon to aid in moisture absorption.   And I'm still sore -- just at the five places where they put the camera and chopsticks in to do the surgery.   Internally, though, very minimal pain; no cramps; nothing at all like the ongoing discomfort that was my life with diverticulitis.   The Pathologist said my removed colon section was so damaged that it was not really accomplishing peristalses anymore. 

One thing about me, and I can't help but wonder if this might be an issue that can help you all is this:   About 6 months ago I switched my diet to the paleo/primal ( ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed***) where you keep consumption of processed grain carbos to roughly ZERO, avoid sugar, completely eliminate any form of wheat, and all that.   Under the diet, I lost over 40 pounds between April 2011 and October 2011, and I'm continuing with it.

Anyway, good luck to everyone... I'll try to update as my recovery progresses.

Cheers, Brian.

I just got home from a sigmoidectomy yesterday, after 3 days in the hospital. All the surgeon would tell me is to eat anything I want, that I was good as new. Then, well, maybe be careful with greasy foods.?? Really? I am sticking to low-fiber, but no BM yet and I am worried about the stress that will cause on the internal sutures.

Your specifics regarding diet were most helpful. I've had two separate resections and have major problems with gas constantly and am just now exploring dietary causes. I've cut many foods from my diet like nuts, oatmeal, high fibre breads but it hasn't helped much. I've got to keep searching for the answer as the pain that comes with the gas is horrible.

My husband had 10-12 inches of his colon removed, and he healed up just fine. No constipation and not the other way either. I think it is largely due to having a VERY good surgeon. Don't go to just anyone. Go to someone who has done a lot of the surgeries and is very confident. Get recommendations. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, we had Dr. Lawrence Yee. Unfortunately my husbands obstruction, tumor turned out to be cancerous, so we are doing chemo, and that - or the anti nausea drugs has caused constipation problems. But the surgery itself was successful. It can go well. Good luck to you and may God guide you in all that you do.

I recently had a right collectomy after a appendix burst that turned out to be cancerous. The cancer burst in to my colon etc. I still can't seem to find the right foods to ease the cramping etc. I love whole grains, nuts, salads etc... I'm on chemo now & want to eat healthy, yet.... Any thoughts? Thank you~l

If I were you I would have the surgery to untwist your intestines, that is a very painful condition not only that something more serious could possibly happen. I had the same surgery done about 3 yrs. Ago and was very glad I did. Let us all know how you do good luck!!!

Please see a pain specialist if you haven't, for your hip pain. I had that too - and all it took was ONE shot in each hip (a concoction of 3 drugs) and I was instantly cured! It was a form of bursitis, and it was a quick fix.

Try the coloncancerresource.com  It gives you a list of food you can eat  and what you should stay away from. Hope it helps !!!

  

Found this site coloncancerresource.com Hope it helps!!!

I am so glad to see this post.  I had a foot of my sigmoid colon removed and about a foot of my small intenstine removed after an acute bout of Diverticulitis that caused my colon to perforate.  The emergency surgery took place in 2004.  My surgeon has told me to eat whatever I wanted and my Gastroenterologist has said the same.  I've come to figure out that they do not know what they are talking about.  To this day I have multiple bm's every day. 

I've learned the following that works for me:  no caffeine, no alcohol, no milk products.  When someone gives you the "eat high fiber advice", tell them politely that doesn't work for you.  I can eat mashed potatoes in mass quantities which is not good for the waistline. 

Has anyone else found a diet that helps with weight loss and isn't hard on the colon?  I am desperate for encouraging advice.

Thanks!

Hi everyone.4 month ago was my 2/3 colon resection.I am doing well.Now I go to the acupuncturist and she will balancing my digestive system.I offer this for everyone who suffering same disease.Other think.Doctors never tell you the true.Dietetians have not idea about this disease.You have to learn and listen your body and research yourself every day-you are your doctor.Other think-you never eat raw vegetables-ever.Maybe one apple a day ok-or sauce.Vegetables eat just very well cooked.Try eat very simple not mix to much ingredients together.steamed veggies and fish or chicken-most time.if you like pasta try buy GMO free and glutein free.Pasta with veggies or black beans oke,but please no cheeze.you can eat cheeze just alone.sweet potatoes oke.So many vegetables you never eat again like before.We have (maybe undiagnosted gluten sensitivity) I eat gluten free and never drink milk (most worst for you) raw goat oke.Nobody tell us the true they don;t want you be healthy again (business).Take very good pro and prebiotics with inulin (healthy food store)I hope I help you a lot.I fallow this diet and my feeling is very good never constipated and diarrhea.....Have a nice day for you.

Bow are you now we had the same stuff mets to liver snd such

I had the reversal operation some weeks ago. I was prepared for a bout of the runs and lined myself up with creams to prevent soreness to my bottom and protective bed covers etc. Got food ready made cottage pie - fish pie etc expecting to need low fibre things - I was not getting the runs but the opposite and eventually was allowed to be prescribed laxitive powders and senna tablet at night - I had terrific pains for one or two nights but know I am able to eat green beans and broad beans with my potatoe and mince meat instant meals - i boil two chicken breats and added a carrot onion not cut up to make bulion type soups and take one bit of chicken out to cool for sandwich material for the next day - I found its best to alternate supermarkets for ready meals as life gets boring and now on Aldi sweet and sour chicken and vegitable which have loosen me a bit which is good for me but may not suit those who motion is loose. Every body tells you what not to eat and never what to eat which is a pain - Best to keep a diary of what was easy on you and a poo chart until things become more predicable - my tummy feels like I am wearing a belt at times and I have to strain that I wonder if my stiches insde me will hold - Thats me bit to the pooing experience debate - be positve but I know thats hard to do and easy to say, PS my reason for quality ready basic grub meals is that I live alone and would end up not eating if I had to cook intensively each day. Food has not got that draw on me as it did before my cancer removal ops and chemo. 

This was great advice. It takes times. Yes, your ife has changed but you will get thru this. I also had my large intestine in 2010 and gallbladder surgery all in 2 mos time. It has taken me some time to under stand whaat has happened . If I et alot it terrible bms slot . so, I eat in small portions. i have no trouble with my wieght. Carrots are good , Eat whit e bread not alot of fiber like they tell you to eat wrong, cramps. Wished I liked milk but do not . Keep posting this site helped alot to know I was not by my self. Enery is hard for me to get but i keep trying. Have a great day.